Mo Salah says Liverpool squad were desperate for Man City disaster in Champions League

Liverpool wanted Manchester City’s humiliating elimination from the Champions League, according to Mohamed Salah, who admitted that the Reds were keen to face Real Madrid.

Liverpool will face Real Madrid in the Champions League final, which is precisely what Mohamed Salah and his teammates hoped for after the Egyptians stated they hoped for a Manchester City tragedy.

City was just minutes away from reaching a second consecutive Champions League final until Real Madrid staged an incredible comeback, finally defeating Pep Guardiola’s team 6-5 on aggregate after extra time. And the news was positively greeted in the Liverpool camp, with Salah telling Sky Sports that the Reds wanted to meet Real Madrid in Paris.

“Everyone [at Liverpool] wanted that game,” Salah told Sky Sports. “I’m not sure why we’re not allowed to discuss it, but I’m fine with it – I wanted that game! Before that game [against Manchester City], I wanted to play Real Madrid.

“Of course, I’m not giving them too much credit. They’re an incredible team with a fantastic coach and players. When they asked who I wanted, I told them I wanted Madrid. It’s a simple response.”

Liverpool fell to Real Madrid in the 2017-18 Champions League final in Kyiv, and Salah was in tears as he departed the field with a shoulder injury. An infamous series of gaffes by goalkeeper Loris Karius capped off a heartbreaking defeat, and Salah is out for vengeance.

“You simply feel so dejected, very down,” Salah remarked of the loss to Real Madrid. “I had work obligations and then a vacation. During that holiday, I simply inquired, “What do you want?” To keep crying and being miserable about it and letting it bring you down? Or you can simply fight back. And I fought back in the best way possible, which is why we’re here now.

“Last time, I lost because I scored 40 goals but we did not win any trophies. My number is really high this time, and we’ve already won one cup. If we win the next two, it will be interesting to see who wins.

“In the meanwhile, we must concentrate on the main goal, which is to win the team’s trophy, and the rest will fall into place. This is my best season at Liverpool thus far. The goal and assist totals are high, and the method I created chances, which is the highest in the Premier League, has changed a lot.

“When the team loses games, or when I don’t score or make a difference, I don’t feel as good. But even if the team wins and I don’t score, I’m still ecstatic. I just try to find small things that pique my interest. To keep my thoughts occupied, I attempt to look at a small record or another record there. I strive to be driven to break these marks, to be hungry for something new.”